Elevated blood anandamide levels in acute COVID-19 pneumonia with respiratory failure.

Publication/Presentation Date

9-1-2025

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Subsets of COVID-19 pneumonia patients with acute respiratory failure experienced long-term respiratory dysfunction and persistent radiological abnormalities. However, mechanisms contributing to persistent pulmonary dysfunction following COVID-19 remain unclear. Increased cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB

METHODS: In this study, we sought to determine the relationship between circulating endocannabinoids and inflammatory mediators in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia from two independent cohorts in different geographic US locations. Endocannabinoid levels were measured using liquid chromatography coupled triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, while inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were measured using Luminex assay in blood serum collected at various time points during COVID-19 pneumonia.

RESULTS: We found that blood serum levels of endocannabinoid AEA were significantly elevated in acute COVID-19 pneumonia patients compared to patients with non-COVID-19-associated acute respiratory failure, and healthy controls. Further, 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2AG)] was significantly elevated in acute COVID-19 pneumonia patients on par with non-COVID acute respiratory failure patients. Levels of circulating AEA and 2AG correlated with multiple inflammatory markers.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest increased circulating endocannabinoid tone may be involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 pneumonia during the acute phase of illness.

Volume

370

Issue

3

First Page

271

Last Page

277

ISSN

1538-2990

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

40480300

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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